Perspective: Investment Over Expendable

Perspective: Investment Over Expendable

I used to work at a Banana Republic, and everyday I would come in and everything would be rearranged. We would get new cashmere sweaters, and so they would go on the table in "the avenue" or we would get new dresses which would be put in the front of the store, while the old ones were either put in sale or in the back. We got new articles of clothing every week, although I use the term new loosely because sometimes it the same shirt in the same color with a different cut. And even though we always got new stuff in, it rarely sold better or got more people to come in. People would just wait until the sales happened, and when they did, it was mad house. People bought tons of the clothes for $40 off the original price while the old clothes collected dust in the back. This is a symptom from an industry called fast fashion, where clothes are made faster and cheaper to produce more and make more money. And while our clothes were made with a better quality in mind (in some factory where no one is getting payed well or treated well), most stores' clothing isn't good quality. It's stores we all know and love like Uniqlo, Forever 21, H& M, Zara, Topshop, ASOS, Urban Outfitter, etc. Tell me the last time you saw someone walk into one of those stores and come out with a small bag or only one purchase. We care more for quantity rather than quality. But what many people don't know is that these clothes effect our environment. Clean water is being polluted with toxic chemicals just so we can buy four pairs of blue jeans for $24.95 at H& M. And the clothes not sold or used end up in landfills or burnt (great thinking Burberry). We have to look into small businesses for ethical and sustainable clothing. Where the materials are produced and assembled in LA or somewhere in the United States. And while it's more pricey, we have to see our clothing more as an investment rather than expendable. I ended up quitting my job at Banana Republic, and have decided to make my own brand, one that sells ethical clothing, but can be just as popular as a fast fashion place.